Switch plate



A. FRINZI.

SWITCH PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1'9. 1921.

1,42 1 44?, Patented July 4, 1922.

UINHT TTES ANTONIO FRINZI, 0F EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH PLATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented aui a, 1922 Application filed September 19, 1921. Serial No. 501,790.

T 0 all "whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, AN'roNIo FRINZI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Easton, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch plates for use in switches, and it comprises a switch plate adapted to be arranged on the upper surface of a tie to receive a rail, the upper surface of the switch plate being inclined inward and being provided with means for securing a rail-thereto.

In the present. invention, I provide a switch plate which will support the rail at an angle, the rail being inclined inwardly when in position. By means of the construction disclosed, the rail is so supported that the weight transmitted through the wheels of a locomotive or car is directed toward the center of the base of the rail instead of to one side, as in former constructions. The majority of railroads are now using inclined tie plates outside of switches and have not made any effort to use inclined switch plates as yet. Level switch plates are used instead, which cause switch rails to loosen on account of the weight of engines and cars being transmitted toward the inner edge of the rail base instead of being transmitted to the center of the base.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a transverse view of a track showing the invention applied,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch plate, and,

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a railroad tie of any suitable type or material. A switch plate 2 is arranged adjacent each end of the tie adapted to receive the rails. As shown, the

rails 3 are arranged on the top of the switch plate. The switch plate is made of appreciable thickness at its outer end 4, and tapers longitudinally, being relatively thin at its inner end 5. This provides an upper surface 6 arranged at an incline. IVhen the rail is arranged on the surface, the rail will be inclined inwardly toward the center of the track. The switch plate is provided with openings 7 and 8 for the reception of spikes to secure rail brace 14 to the rail and also secure the switch plate to the tie;' As shown, .spikes 9 are arranged in these openings and the heads 10 of the spikes are adapted to engage the base of the rail brace 14 and the base of the rail. Adjacent the inner side of the base of each rail, the switch plate is provided witha raised portion 11 to hold the rail rigid and also provide a sliding surface for movement of the switch points. The bottom of the switch plate is provided with ribs 13 extending diagonally thereof for the purpose of holdin the switch plate from movingunder tra c, on account of the ribs being imbedded in the tie.

In the use of the invention, the switch plate is placed on the tie under the rail with the inner edge of the base of the rail engaging the projection 11. The rail brace 14 is then placed against the outside of the rail and the spikes 9 are then driven in 0 enings 7 and 8 with-the heads 10 arrange to engage the rail brace and the base of the rail.

In prior constructions, it has been customary to arrange the rail on a level switch plate with the vertical portion or web of the rail inclined the same as the rails either side of the switches. As the wheels of a locomotive or car passing over the rails engage the inner side, the weight is transmitted to a point adjacent the outer edge of the base of the rail. By using an inclined switch plate, the weight is transmitted to the center of the base of the rail with a bearing under the rail for the full width of the base and the usual difficulties due to loosening of r'ails, spreading, and the like are prevented; also wear of the head of the rail is diminished, due to wheels of engines and cars being cone shaped or beveled.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is' to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A switch plate adapted to be arranged ings adapted to engage the opposite side of 10 the rail, and ribs arranged on the bottom of said plate and extending diagonally thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANTONIO FRINZI. W'itnesses:

A. C. LA BARRE CHAS. B. BRUNNER. 

